The end of my tether

My son did his GCSE's last year and got E's,F's and a D. I was so proud of him because he only got his EHC February just gone. The problem I keep  coming up against is that mainstream education (collage) hasn't got a clue. I've applied to a specialist provision but was turned down due to a couple of reasons,

As I explained to the collage he's at, at the moment, he has Asperges so his understanding of social interaction is limited and has never been in a situation where he's around 'vulnerable adults' like himself  (he's only ever been in mainstream) This changed when he went into foundation stage at collage.

As a young man almost leaving his teens, he has a certain thought process. He liked one of the girls in his class and wanted to take her for something to eat. The young lady agreed but wasn't comfortable and complained about it when they got back to collage (as I would expect and encourage anyone who feels uncomfortable to do). My son was warned and asked to not do it again. He spoke to this lass again to explain and try and be friends again. During this process he asked her for kisses and cuddles. Once again a complaint was made  (again, totally understandable) my son was then suspended.

During the reintegration meeting, I explained that he needs guidance and support in understanding what is appropriate behaviour. He was then accepted back into collage under the proviso that this not happen again. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN! However during the assessment process for the new specialist provision, a telephone call was made between the two collages. I'm not privy to the conversation, however based on that conversation he was rejected due to being a risk to female students.

He was made to sound like a sexual predictor who preys solely on weak, vulnerable girls who can't look after themselves. He sounded like a dangerous and despicable human being, who shouldn't be allowed anywhere near decent society in general. 

This conversation has now been had twice,  both times it has caused pain and suffering to my son. He's been banned from seeing his 'girlfriend' because the collage rang up her parent and had a similar conversation with them.

I don't know what else I can do. He's refusing to go back to the collage he's registered at,  at the moment and he's got nowhere to go to. He has an EHC that's not worth the paper it's written on and he's become a recluse again  (oh, I should also point out that recently he was diagnosed with complex PTSD due to abuse he's suffered pretty much all of his school career) He is not a danger and if anything is overly protective of females but it seems that I can't stop things being said. He's now in a situation where he's not in education or adult training and by the looks of it he won't be any time soon because obviously the collage have every right to voice their concern for others safety. I truly have no idea what to do next. 

As a last piece of information,  I myself am limited in my abilities at times. I have generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia and Fibromyalgia. So these limit my ability to be there 24/7. Although as his sole parent and carer it's my job. Please,  if you have any advice I'm all ears.  

  • I  requested advocacy yesterday, however because there is no government agency involved with my sons care I can't request one. I have no one involved with him even though there have been reports made to social services, the police and reports made. I've called the helpline before. Honestly, when I say I've tried everything, thank you for suggesting advocacy though.  I do appreciate all the help. 

  • I've tried every service you can imagine. I've been asking for help for 14 years. I had to take the L.A to court just to get an EHC. I  can't get any training without a government agency being involved. 

  • Hi there. I was thinking perhaps going on to your county council website and typing in 'local offer' - every council should have a SEND local offer and you can then search for age range and applicable service for your child (you can on the West Sussex one anyway and presume you can on others also?). There may be social skills training groups that your son could attend? Also, perhaps calling SEND Information Advice and Support (SEND IAS) may be able to help with supporting your  son also regarding moving forward in a positive way with the setting. They support young people 0-25 with SEND in educational settings. Sound heartbreaking situation - I wish you and your boy the very best of luck X

  • Hi ,

     mentioned advocacy in their response below. If you'd like some more information about this, then feel free to take a look at the following page - http://www.autism.org.uk/about/adult-life/advocacy.aspx.

    Additionally, if you'd like to receive further support beyond the Community, then the team at the NAS Helpline may be able to provide this for you. You can call them on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm), although please note that the Helpline is experiencing increasingly high demand, and you may not reach them straight away.

     Please see the following link for further information:

    http://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/main.aspx

    Best wishes,

    Nellie-Mod

  • What a mess, fortunately he/you are not alone.  This kind of "inappropriate" behaviour is typical of autism.  And unfortunately leads to more trouble.   My advice is to use autism as an explanation of his behaviour, not as an excuse.  Good luck.

  • I'm thinking there is a need for someone to do advocacy on his part. Problem is I'm in NZ and a bit stumped as to who I would recommend.

    Specifically he needs a man who is prepared to mentor him over how to interact with female friends and classmates. I know guys who could do this, just noting my country.

    I would also speak to disability services through the council because he IS being discriminated against rather than helped.